#reposting this for the THIRD TIME bc tumblr keeps deleting it from the tags

[razzle-zazzle]

[YES! No better way to start the decade than with some whump!]

1210 Words

"Like this?"

Pixal glanced over Nya's work. "Don't be so quick to excise the affected tissue; you run the risk of making it worse if you try to resurface too fast."

Nya nodded, her face set in grim determination. Cole continued to lie supine on the table, allowing her to work as best she could.

For the umpteenth time Nya found herself wishing she was working on a machine, and not this. Machines were easy compared to people; Nya never had to worry about whether she was cutting too deep or too fast with machines—perhaps it was because she was used to machines, used to the way metal worked, the way the pieces fit together. But, with no actual doctor on the Bounty, and no time to get Cole to a hospital—the wound had been left untreated for long enough; there was a mission to take care of—it fell to Nya, whose small hands were accustomed to working with small, delicate components, whose perfectionist attitude was best for following Pixal's instructions, it fell to her to treat it.

“There we are.” Nya said, wrapping the bandages over Cole’s eyes, helping him to sit up on the table. “All cleaned up.” Try as she might, she couldn’t keep the wobble from her voice, couldn’t keep the revulsion at what had been done to his face out of her own expression. She wanted to violently stab whoever had done this. To rob Cole of his vision, in such a painful and haphazard way—it made Nya sick to think about what kind of person would do this. She didn’t care that Cole said it was an accident.

Even though Cole couldn’t see it, he seemed able to sense her disgust. He turned away as soon as she finished, a disgruntled expression in what was left of his face.

“Hey buddy,” Kai said gently, approaching Cole slowly so as not to startle him. “You doing okay?”

“I’m doing just peachy, thanks for asking.” Cole said wryly.

“Oh, really? That’s great—”

Cole slammed his fist down on the table, startling everyone. “Of course not! What were you expecting?” He stiffened, as if hearing himself for the first time. “Sorry.” He mumbled, shifting awkwardly.

Kai was immediately at Cole’s side, grabbing at Cole’s arm to lead him to the door. “It’s fine.” He assured. “That was a dumb question, anyway.”

Cole said nothing, leaning on Kai all the way to the door.

“I mean,” Kai continued, as he led Cole down the hall, “At least you’re alive? I’m thankful for that—” He was really fumbling for words to say now, “I’m just glad you’re alive, I guess.”

The silence was awkward, and Kai wished Jay were here. Jay would just keep talking to fill the silence, unbothered by the possibility of stepping on a nerve—or, Kai suspected, comfortable in the knowledge that his babble was better than silence.

But Jay had gone out to help Lloyd search, and was still on his way back. Still unaware of what had befallen Cole, because Kai was too cowardly to tell him. Too cowardly to really accept what had happened until he saw it with his own eyes, and even then Kai still denied the idea that Cole wouldn't see again.

Without realizing it, Kai's grip on Cole's arm tightened, causing Cole to stiffen anxiously. "Kai…?" He whispered, voice hoarse.

"Oh, um, ah—" Kai let go of Cole's arm, flailing in panicked apology, "shit, I didn't mean—here, I'll just—"

Cole grabbed Kai's arm, "It's fine. Don't cry over spilled milk."

It didn't feel fine, but Kai nodded—belatedly realizing Cole couldn't see the gesture—all the same and continued forward.

Once they were in the games room, Kai led Cole over to the couch. They sat there in silence, one unsure what to say while the other was lost in thought.

“Hey…” Kai said.

Cole turned towards him. “What?”

Well, shit. Kai had no idea what he was doing. “Uh… do you want to talk about it?”

Cole tensed. “Talk about what?”

“You know,” Kai began to gesture, only to put his hands down. “This. Something. Anything. This silence is awkward, yanno?”

Cole shifted awkwardly. “Well, what is there to say? I already told you how it happened.”

“Yeah, but—” Kai was really reaching here, “—how did it, uh,” he swallowed thickly, “how did it make you feel? That’s what I’m wondering, I guess.”

“Really, Kai?”

Kai squawked. “Hey! I know I’m not Zane,” He said, sounding slightly offended, “And I’m not good at the whole… ‘comforting’ thing most of the time, but…” Kai swallowed again, tears pricking at his eyes. “You’re my brother, and you’re hurt, bad, and I just—I just want to help.”

The silence was oppressive. Kai fidgeted awkwardly, glancing over at Cole.

“I think she was surprised, too.” Cole began. He must have sensed Kai’s confusion, because he elaborated. “Ultra Violet. When her knife met my face. She didn’t kick me when I was down, just kinda went silent. I don’t think it was her intent to blind me.”

Cole paused, his hands trembling. “But,” He swallowed thickly, “That just makes it so much harder to blame her, and if I can’t blame Ultra Violet, then whose fault is it other than my own?” He sucked in air through his teeth.

“So, I guess it makes me feel… weak. Like I should have been able to duck, back away, something, anything to prevent it from happening.” His throat tightened. “And that—the idea that I’m not strong enough—that terrifies me.”

Kai had to fight back the urge to cry. “Cole, no.” He cupped Cole’s face in his hands, forcing his brother to face him. “You’re not weak, Cole. You’re the most not-weak person I know. I mean—” He chuckled humorlessly, “You managed to get yourself and the baby to safety all on your own, even after she blinded you.” Kai’s hands fell to his sides.

Cole nodded. “I did do that, didn’t I?”

“Yeah!” Kai took Cole’s hands in his own, “That’s amazing, bro. I know I couldn’t have done it, but you did.” Kai could feel, now, the vigor and spark that he used to reassure himself—the fire that had been dampened by the reality of the situation—blazing in full force again. And if he could use that fire to encourage himself, then he could most certainly use it to reassure Cole.

Cole smiled—a tiny smile, but Kai considered it a victory nonetheless—and pressed his forehead against Kai’s. “Thanks.” He whispered.

There was so much that went unspoken in that scene, ideas that both wanted to convey but couldn’t find the words to do so. So many feelings that they couldn’t put to words, but were felt by the other nonetheless. The hurt wasn’t fully gone—it might never truly go away—but the air seemed lighter, somehow, the wounds felt better. A small comfort, but a comfort regardless. The silence was no longer stifling, but contented. A little unsure, but better than it had been moments prior.

Cole opened his mouth to speak, to maybe thank Kai again, or ask what had been bothering him in the hall, only to be cut off by a shriek that echoed through the ship—nay, the entire city.

“COLE LOST HIS WHAT?!”